Television control system for universal control of hospital televisions

ABSTRACT

A television control system for controlling different models of hospital televisions, has an input device for receiving an input from a person, and a controller for interfacing with hospital televisions. The controller generates control signal clusters reflective of the input, and the clusters include a plurality of sequentially-generated, individual control signals for specific operational functions of a plurality of different models of hospital televisions.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of pending application Ser.No. 08/853,532, entitled Television Control System for Universal Controlof Hospital Televisions, and filed May 9, 1997, which application isincorporated completely herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to hospital interfacing devices andparticularly to an interface device for controlling a television in ahospital room.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Televisions (TVs) manufactured for use in health care facilities, suchas within hospital rooms, are specifically designed for use within thoseenvironments. In the past, such televisions have been designed to meetcertain requirements regarding safety and control. However, suchhospital TV control has always been subject to an informal controlstandard directed to the patient operation of the TVs from a hospitalbed rail control or a pillow speaker. The term "pillow speaker" isgenerally used to refer to a device associated with a hospital bed whichprovides an audio speaker and volume control for a television, alongwith capabilities for communicating with the nurse, controllinglighting, and other such features. The pillow speaker is generally adetached unit connected by a cord to the bed or to an interface plug inthe wall.

While available hospital TVs and their associated controls provide abasic viewing experience, they suffer from several significantdrawbacks. Historically, the control of hospital TVs has been severelylimited and has generally consisted of a single button control whichturns the television ON and OFF and changes the channel. Separate volumecontrol buttons are used for raising or lowering the volume of thetelevision. For example, such TVs are turned ON by pressing the TVbutton. Then, each subsequent depression of the TV button changes thechannel UP to the next available viewing channel. When all the availablechannels are displayed in sequence, the television then turns OFF.Depressing the TV button again turns the television back ON and preparesit again for moving UP through the channels. The patient or other personcontrolling the TV can only progress upwardly through the channels. If adesired channel is passed, the patient has to progress all the waythrough the channel selections, has to turn the TV OFF and then ONagain, and finally has to move up slowly through the channels, beingcareful to again not pass the desired channel. Furthermore, a patientcannot turn the TV OFF at a selected channel and then turn it back ON atthat channel. The TV always comes back ON at the same channel and thepatient has to again search for the channel they were previouslyviewing.

Such scenarios are not only frustrating and a waste of the patent'stime, but also may unduly and undesirably aggravate the patient, whosehealth may not be at its best. While such control may have been at leastsufficient when only a few channels were available for viewing, thelatest TV technology requires additional control for accessing a largenumber of additional channels and operating an expanded set of TVfeatures and functions. For example, it is desirable to turn thetelevision ON and OFF and have it remain at the channel which was lastselected. Furthermore, it is desirable to move UP or DOWN through theavailable channels at random. Still further, it is desirable to access anumber of other TV features, such as display menus or channel viewingguides. Newly available hospital TVs, often referred to as code-drivenTVs, are capable of being functionally controlled as desired anddiscussed above. However, current hospital TV control technology isusually only able to provide the limited control that has traditionallybeen available with a hospital TV and often cannot take full advantageof the code-driven TV technology.

Another significant drawback of available hospital TV control technologyis that each bed and pillow speaker associated with the bed must beconfigured to control a specific brand/model of hospital TV. There arecurrently at least three major manufacturers of hospital TVS. To controla specific TV brand/model from a hospital bed and pillow speaker, thebed and pillow speaker have to be specially manufactured and configuredfor that TV model.

As such, a hospital or other health care facility has to know which bedsare going to go with which TV models, and the manufacturer of the bedshas to tailor and configure the bed operation for the specific TV model.Oftentimes, such configuration is required in the field, which furtherincreases the manufacturing costs associated with each bed. After thebeds and TVs are installed, a bed cannot be moved to a room having adifferent TV model than the one for which it is manufactured andconfigured. Otherwise, the TV cannot be controlled from the bed. As maybe appreciated, this presents significant logistical problems for thehospital in setting up a hospital room. Furthermore, it presents delaysin implementing a bed into a room, because if the bed and TV do notcommunicate, then the hospital has to obtain a different bed, or adifferent TV model or has to have the bed reconfigured for the specificTV model available.

The present hospital TV control scenario is also unsuitable for hospitalbed manufacturing. Manufacturers have to keep different beds ininventory, or have to specifically tailor or retrofit each bed to thecustomer's TV demands. Such retrofitting is often done by the bedmanufacturer in the field. This is not only costly in the way ofincreased inventory costs and post production modifications, but it alsocreates another issue for manufacturers' Customer Service Departments tohandle.

Furthermore, not only do the above problems and drawbacks arise when anew hospital room is being set up, but they will again occur if there isa malfunction in the bed, in the TV, or both. Replacement beds or TVscannot simply be taken from other rooms unless the hospital only has onetype of bed and one model of television.

Any solution to the above drawbacks in current TV control technologymust not only take into account the newer code-driven hospital TVs, butmust also be compatible with older TVs that will probably remain in aparticular hospital until they malfunction or the hospital makes adetermination to upgrade to newer TVs. Given the interest in risinghealth care costs, the former situation may occur before the latter.

Radio capabilities are also usually available with some hospital TVs. Inthe past, the bed rails and pillow speakers have had separate, generallysingle button, RADIO controls for turning the radio ON and OFF andchanging the radio channels. Furthermore, radio control was limited likethe TV control. Therefore, any suitable solutions to the drawbacks ofthe current TV control technology should also be capable of utilizingavailable radio features of a television, whether an older TV model or anewer, code-driven model.

One solution to the aforementioned problems in the prior art, isaddressed by U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 08/853,532, referencedabove, wherein a television control system for universal control ofhospital televisions is provided, addressing the problems associatedwith various TV models from different manufacturers, as well asscenarios wherein a hospital will include both older and newertelevisions. Specifically, the television control system utilizesvarious operational modes for adapting the system to a variety ofdifferent situations. For example, the inventive system may be adaptedto hospitals containing both old and newer TVs, to hospitals containingonly newer TVs and/or to hospitals containing only old TVs. Furthermore,the system may be adapted, through mode selection, to address a numberof other possible scenarios within a hospital. While such mode selectionis desirable and the inventive system addresses the problems in theprior art, it requires proper switch selection for the desired mode uponinstallation. Accordingly, the proper switch selection requires anindividual to recognize which TVs are in use within a particular room orwithin a particular hospital or medical facility. Such a determinationmay slow the installation procedure.

Furthermore, the previously mentioned system, in one embodiment, reliesupon patient operation of the various input buttons to switch betweensub-modes. It has been determined that such a process for selecting amode could sometimes lead to the inadvertent selection of control for anolder style TV when control of a newer TV is actually desired, or viceversa. Such mode selection would rely upon all users intuitivelyoperating the system in the same manner. In the worse scenario, thevarious submodes of the system might be changed inadvertently andundesirably.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to address thedrawbacks in available hospital TV control scenarios, and to provide animproved TV control system for medical and health care facilities, suchas hospitals.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a TVcontrol system which adapts to TV models from a variety of differentmanufacturers.

It is still a further objective of the present invention to have abed-dedicated TV control unit and bed which may be moved between areasin the hospital without being dependent upon the model of TV with whichit is interfaced.

It is another objective of the present invention to provideexpandability of TV control functions in a hospital for easily accessingadditional channels and addressing additional features available withcurrent TV technology.

It is still a further objective to provide expanded control capabilitiesfor newer hospital TVs while at the same time maintaining compatibilitywith older TVs which are currently in place in various hospitals.

It is another objective of the invention to improve upon the existinginventive control system which addresses the above objectives and tospecifically reduce or eliminate manual switching or patient control foroperation of various older and newer style TVs with the system.

It is another objective to provide suitable radio control within the TVcontrol system.

These and other objectives will become more readily apparent from theSummary of the Invention, Brief Description of the Drawings, andDetailed Description of the Invention, below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the above-discussed drawbacks of theprior art and meets the objectives set forth above and other objectivesby providing a TV control system which universally controls differentmodels of hospital TVs. In that way, a bed, or pillow speaker, which isoutfitted with the invention may be utilized with any one of a number ofdifferent hospital TV models from different manufacturers without havingto be specially designed or configured for a particular TV model. Thetelevision control system allows a bed or pillow speaker to be movedbetween areas in the hospital without being dependent upon the model ofTV with which it is interfaced. The inventive system further providesexpanded functional capability for controlling a hospital TV whilemaintaining compatibility with older TVs and providing for suitableradio control of radio functions available on a particular TV model. Byproviding universal control of different TV models, the inventionreduces the logistical problems between hospital and bed manufacturerswhen ordering, manufacturing, and installing hospital beds. Furthermore,the invention gives a hospital greater flexibility in moving andreplacing hospital beds and hospital TVs. Manufacturers do not have tomaintain a large inventory of different beds configured for specific TVmodels, thus reducing inventory costs and post production costsassociated with retrofitting or configuring beds in the field forspecific TV control. Furthermore, the invention gives a patient greaterflexibility and control of the TV and eliminates the inconveniences andirritations associated with prior hospital TV systems.

To that end, the TV control system of the invention comprises an inputdevice which is operable for interfacing with a person to receive aninput, and is further operable for generating an input signalcorresponding to the input. The input device may be in the form ofbuttons or switches on the side rail of a hospital bed or may beincorporated into the control buttons or switches of a pillow speakerassociated with the bed. The input device essentially provides anindication to the patient of the type of control available for thehospital TV and possibly a radio system associated therewith. The systemfurther comprises a controller which is configured for interfacing withthe hospital TV. The controller is operable for generating the necessarycontrol signals to operate different models of hospital TVs. Thecontroller not only provides control signals for newer code-driven TVs,but is still capable of controlling older TVs which are in place inexisting hospital facilities. The controller is operably coupled to theinput device to receive one of a plurality of available input signals,such as an input from the patient to turn the television ON or OFF or tochange channels.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, thecontroller is operable for generating a control signal clusterreflective of the input signal to control the TV as desired by thepatient. The control signal cluster includes a plurality of sequentiallygenerated, individual control signals, which are sent one after theother. Each of the control signals corresponds to a specific operationalfunction for a plurality of different models of hospital TVs. Therefore,the sequentially generated control signals of each cluster reflect thedesired operational function of the patient.

For example, when the patient pushes the TV ON button, the controller ofthe inventive system generates a control signal cluster which has aplurality of sequentially generated ON commands, one ON command for eachTV of a plurality of different models of hospital TVs which may becoupled to the system. That is, if the system is configured forcontrolling television Model A, Model B, and Model C, each fromdifferent manufacturers, then the inventive system provides a controlsignal cluster including ON signals for Model A, Model B, and Model Cfor turning the TV on. The sequentially generated ON signals proceed oneafter the other. If the bed containing the inventive system is coupledwith a Model B TV, then the TV will simply ignore the ON control signalsfor Model A and Model C, and will respond to the Model B signal byturning itself on. Since the control signal cluster includessequentially generated control signals for a plurality of differentmodels of hospital TVs, then the bed and inventive control system may bemoved to a room with a different TV model, such as a Model A TV, and thecontrol system will be able to properly operate that model as wellwithout any reconfiguration of the control system.

Preferably, a particular input signal will produce a control signalcluster which corresponds to the same operational function for each TVmodel with which the system might be interfaced. For example, an ONinput from the patient will generate a cluster of only ON signals forthe TVs. However, in accordance with another principle of the presentinvention, the cluster might include individual control signals fordifferent operational functions. For example, for one TV model, thecluster may include control signals to provide radio features from theTV, while for another TV model, and within the same cluster, the controlsignal might operate the TV to provide a channel guide showing theavailable viewing channels. It will be appreciated by a person ofordinary skill in the art, that other features might be included in acluster depending upon the operational functions of the available TVmodels.

In one embodiment of the invention, inputs are provided for turning thetelevision ON/OFF, for moving the viewing channel UP, and for moving theviewing channel DOWN, while another button corresponds to a SELECT orRADIO feature of the TV model. The ON/OFF, UP, and DOWN, are the basicfunctions which most patients will utilize when operating a hospitaltelevision. However, it will be appreciated that other operationalfunctions may be utilized and thus the input device may provide theappropriate switches or buttons to access those additional functions.

The present invention is capable of operating newer, code-driven TVs,and is also capable of operating older TVs under the older commandprotocol. To that end, one embodiment of the present invention operatesin a variety of different modes depending upon whether old TVs, newercode- driven TVs, or a combination of both are to be encountered by abed which is outfitted with the inventive control system. To that end,the invention comprises a mode switch which is coupled to the mainprocessor of the system for determining the selected mode. The modeswitch may be utilized to set the system into a particular modedepending upon the installation parameters and the TVs available.

In another embodiment of the invention, a mode switch and differentselectable modes are eliminated. In the alternative embodiment, theinvention takes advantage of the backward compatibility of newer TVswhich are compatible to the older command protocol, so that the newerTVs may be installed in hospitals where only the older command protocolis available. To that end, the control signal cluster, which isgenerated in accordance with the principles of the present invention,may include the command signals for the older protocol, as well as thenew control signals for the newer TVs. Specifically, the clusterinitially includes control signals for the newer TVs, and if the TV doesnot respond, a data stream for operating an older TV is added to thecluster. In that way, the older TVs are essentially handled as if theywere a TV from another manufacturer. Furthermore, no mode switching ormode selection is necessary by either the installer or a patientutilizing the inventive system. In such an alternative embodiment, thebackward compatibility of newer TVs is also taken into account, so thata selected function, such a CHANNEL UP function, is always generatedunder the older command protocol. All TVs, older and newer, willrecognize certain function control signals, such as a CHANNEL UP controlsignal, based upon the older command protocol. Preferably, in accordancewith such an alternative embodiment, the cluster of control signals isrepeated at regular intervals if a particular input is repeatedlyengaged and the individual control signals are appropriately separatedby time delay intervals to allow correlated functions to occur at asimilar rate. For example, the CHANNEL UP control signals and CHANNELDOWN control signals are repeated at the same intervals so that thechannels may be scrolled up and down at generally the same rate.

In one embodiment of the invention, the controller utilizes a pluralityof relays to generate the control signal cluster. The relays are coupledto the system processor, and they are opened and closed as directed bythe processor to form a series or string of spaced pulses which createthe specific control signals for a particular TV model. Throughselective operation of the relays, the control signals, and controlsignal clusters are created as necessary for operating a hospital TV.The relays are also bi-directional and not sensitive to polarity errorsthat may occur upon installation of the system. The features andadvantages of the invention will become further apparent from the BriefDescription of Drawings and the Detailed Description of the Inventionbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the Universal TelevisionControl System of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a circuit schematic of the System in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of one embodiment ofthe inventive system;

FIG. 4 is a control sequence diagram for operation of one embodiment ofthe inventive system;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of one embodiment ofthe inventive system;

FIG. 6 is a control sequence diagram for operation of one embodiment ofthe inventive system;

FIG. 7 is a timing diagram for the control sequence illustrated in FIG.6;

FIG. 8 is a control sequence similar to FIG. 6 for one embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for use in a hospital or otherhealth care facility implementing the universal television controlsystem of the invention. System 10, illustrated in FIG. 1, provides thenecessary interface between the patient, the bed, the control system,and the TV. System 10 implements a plurality of user inputs 12 which arepreferably provided by the bed rail circuitry of a hospital bed or thecircuitry of a pillow speaker. In currently available hospital beds andpillow speakers with TV control systems, control buttons are availablefor operating the bed, operating the television, calling a nurse orother attendant, and a variety of other functions associated withhospital beds. While the input devices are traditionally bed rails andpillow speakers, other input devices might be used.

Transient protection circuitry 14 is utilized for isolating the systemcontroller 16 from a user input device to prevent electrical shock andother hazards to a patient or other user, and also to protect thecontroller circuitry. The controller 16, discussed in greater detailhereinbelow, includes a processor 36 which provides the necessarysignals, in the form of a coded data stream on output lines 18 forcontrolling a bi-directional interface and ultimately for controllingthe hospital TV in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention. Controller 16 is preferably coupled to an appropriate powersource and regulator circuitry 20, such as power from a hospital bed.System 10 also preferably includes an auxiliary power source 22, such asbattery, when a more standard source of power is not available. Thecoded data stream signals 18 operate bi-directional interface circuitry24 which provides proper operational coupling between the TV andprocessor 36 of controller 16. Transient protection circuitry 26 is alsopreferably positioned between the bi-directional interface circuits 24and the TV. In that way, a series of isolated TV control output signals28 are provided to the TV. Controller 16 circuitry of system 10 is thuselectrically isolated both from the TV and the user input devices forprotecting the controller 16 circuitry.

FIG. 2 is a circuit schematic diagram for the controller 16 of system 10illustrated in FIG. 1. In accordance with the principles of the presentinvention, a patient or other person is able to control a variety ofdifferent TV models using input buttons, switches, or other devices on ahospital bed rail, pillow speaker, or similar input device. Throughoutthis application, the term "models" used in referring to the differenttypes of hospital TVs which are available, refers both to differentbrands of hospital TVs made by different manufacturers, such as RCA/GE,Zenith, and Magnavox/Philips, and also refers to the different types ofmodels which may be available from any one manufacturer but which mayrequire a different control protocol.

To control the hospital TV in accordance with the principles of theinvention, user inputs or input signals 12 are provided to controller 16from the existing TV control circuitry of a hospital bed 30, or fromanother input device 32, such as a pillow speaker. For example, a userinput might be the operation of a button, switch or other device on thebed or pillow speaker. The TV control input circuitry of a bed willgenerally be located at the available left and right side rails of thebed (not shown) as is conventional. However, it will be understood thatother locations on the bed may also be suitable for the TV control inputcircuitry. The input circuitry preferably includes a number of inputbuttons/switches 34, as shown on the pillow speaker 32, which may bepressed or activated by a patient. It is also conventional to locate TVcontrol buttons on the pillow speaker. While the pillow speaker 32 andbed 30 may be used exclusive of each other for TV control, a pillowspeaker will generally be provided with the bed, and in such a case, theinputs from the various devices may be operably tied together asillustrated in FIG. 2. The various available user inputs will preferablygenerate input signals. FIG. 2 shows four input lines which make up theuser input signals 12. However, a lesser or greater number of inputs,input signals and appropriate lines may be provided depending upon thenumber of input buttons/switches 34 utilized with the bed or pillowspeaker and the desired control of the TV.

Controller 16 further comprises a processor 36 which is preferably anintegrated circuit micro-processor, such as Model No. PIC 16C84available from Microchip, Chandler, Ariz. Alternatively, the processor36 might include a programmable logic array (PLA) which is specificallyconfigured for use within the controller 16 in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention. The processor 36 is operablycoupled to the input devices 30, 32 for receiving input signals 12therefrom which correspond to the input buttons/switches 34 accessed bythe patient. The processor reads the user input signals 12, anddepending upon the processor's operational mode, as discussed furtherhereinbelow, processor 36 will generate output signals 38 (coded datastream 18 from FIG. 1) which are used for ultimately producing theoutput signals or control signals 28 necessary for controlling ahospital TV 40 coupled to system 10 of the invention.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the processor 36 iscoupled to bi-directional interface circuitry 24 comprising a pluralityof relays 42a, 42b, and 42c. The relays are utilized for producing theTV control signals 28. Three relays are illustrated and discussedherein; however, it will be understood by a person of ordinary skill inthe art that a different number of relays might also be utilizeddepending upon the number of control signals 28 which are desired forcontrolling the hospital TV 40. Therefore, the system is expandable bothwith respect to user inputs and output control signals. Suitable relaysare solid state relays HP HSSR 8400 available from Hewlett-Packard.

In one embodiment, processor 36 is also coupled to a mode switch 44 forcontrolling the operating mode of the processor. Mode switch 44 may be adip switch with a plurality of individual switches to provide aplurality of different switch states or signals. For example, modeswitch 44 illustrated in FIG. 2 has four individual switches 44a, 44b,44c, and 44d and thus is capable of providing a number of binary statesor mode signals 46 to processor 36. As illustrated in FIG. 2, three ofthe mode signals 46 (from switches 44b, 44c, and 44d) are coupleddirectly to processor 36 while the other mode signal or output from modeswitch 44a is used to couple two control signal lines together. Again,it will be understood that mode switch 44 may be capable of initiatinggreater than 16 modes in controller 16 in accordance with the principlesof the present invention. Also, in another embodiment of the invention,a mode switch may not be necessary, as discussed below.

Relay support circuitry 48a, 48b, and 48c is coupled between theprocessor 36 and output signals 38 and the respective relays 42a, 42b,and 42c. The support circuitry provides a high drive current to each ofthe relays for creating the TV control signals 28. That is, the relayscreate the actual control signals 28 for the TV under the command andoperation of processor 36 and output signals 38. Preferably the relays42a, 42b, and 42c are optical relays which provide an optical isolationbetween output control signals 28 and the processor 36 and inputcircuitry 30, 32. In the embodiment disclosed herein, relay 42a isprimarily utilized for the traditional TV functions of TV 40. Relays 42band 42c are utilized for radio functions associated with TV 40.

More specifically, the output lines of 42a designated TV+ and TV- areused to send the appropriate control signals to TV 40, and thus areappropriately coupled to the TV. The relays 42a, 42b, and 42c arepolarity independent and thus provide the bi-directional interface 24 ofcontroller 16. TV 40 would generally be coupled to the controller 16through an appropriate wall interface 50 (see FIG. 1). In conventionalsystems, it is necessary to ensure that the polarity of TV lines 52coupled between TV 40 and the wall interface 50 was proper because thecontrol lines TV+ and TV- on the other side of the interface 50 arepolarity dependent. However, since the relay 42a will simply connect ordisconnect the lines TV+ and TV- in a controlled fashion to send theappropriate control signals 28, the lines are bi-directionally coupledand the polarity of lines 52 may be switched and the system 10 of theinvention will still operate properly. This provides a significantadvantage over prior systems, which were susceptible to being improperlywired, thus preventing proper operation of the TV.

Depending upon the mode of operation, relays 42b and 42c are utilized toprovide radio control signals for a wired radio, or alternatively,channel UP and DOWN signals for some hard-wired TV models such as thatprovided by Zenith. Again, mode switch 44 provides a selection ofdifferent modes of operation for processor 36, and additional relays maybe added to the inventive system to address the need for additional TVcontrol signals.

The present system would be operational for a variety of differenthospital TV models including, but not limited to, the following:

RCA and GE televisions currently manufactured by Thomson ConsumerElectronics, including RCAJ250520 20 inch TVs and GE20GH550 20 inch TVsand later hospital grade models;

Magnavox and Philips TVs currently manufactured by North AmericanPhilips, including Magnavox KJ92-20P 20 inch TVs and Philips HC9520C 20inch TVs and later hospital grade models;

Zenith TVs manufactured by Zenith Sales Inc. including Zenith H2057DT 20inch and later hospital grade models.

The system is also suitable for adaptation to future code-drivenhospital-grade TVs and also operates older TVs currently used with theconventional TV control protocol.

The newer hospital grade TVs are code-driven and thus operate accordingto a plurality of different control codes which are sent to the TV. OldTVs are generally not code-driven. For operating one of a number ofcode-driven TVs, controller 16 produces a control signal clustercomprising a plurality of control signals in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention. More specifically, the controlsignal cluster includes a plurality of sequentially generated,individual control signals which correspond to the specific operationalfunctions of a plurality of different models of hospital TVs. Thecontrol signals are sent to the TV one after the other. The inventivesystem thus will automatically operate any one of a variety of differentmodels of hospital TVs in response to a patient input. Furthermore, inan alternative embodiment, both newer and older TVs may be operated witha single control signal cluster.

The cluster preferably includes a particular control signal for each ofthe TV models that may be used with the invention and alternatively, mayinclude control signals for older TVs. The particular TV modelinterfaced with a hospital bed or pillow speaker receives the controlsignal cluster and will recognize and utilize the particular controlsignal of that cluster which operates that specific TV model or thespecific older or newer TV, The other control signals of the clusterwhich are not meant for the particular model of older/newer TV in thehospital room are essentially ignored. The control signal cluster isgenerated by controller 16 very rapidly and thus presents little delayin operating a particular TV. That is, there is preferably very littledelay between each of the individual control signals of the cluster. Theinventive system can be moved very easily between the various models ofhospital TVs and does not require any reconfiguration or retrofit tooperate the different TV models. In that way, should there be amalfunction in the bed of the TV, another bed utilizing the inventivesystem can replace the malfunctioning bed, or alternatively, another TVmay be installed without concern for the particular TV model and itscompatibility with the bed. This provides a substantial savings in thetime required to plan and maintain a hospital room, and further reducesthe logistical problems that have existed in the past with respect toarranging beds and TVs in hospital rooms so that compatibility ismaintained. Furthermore, the hospital does not have to use just oneparticular TV model or one particular bed, as long as all the bedsutilized incorporate the inventive system.

Examples of the operation of the system, and the various selectablemodes of one embodiment of the invention, will be helpful inunderstanding the invention. The operational modes of controller 16 aredetermined by processor 36 and in one embodiment by mode switch 44coupled to the processor. Mode switch 44 is preferably a dip switchwhich allows for rapid configuration of controller 16 to tailor theoperational mode of the system to a particular hospital environment. Forexample, if a hospital contains both old TVs and newer code-driven TVs,one mode might be selected, whereas if a hospital only has the olderTVs, or only has newer, code-driven TVs, another mode might be selected.The selected mode may also depend on the kind of radio capabilitiesavailable. Therefore, the mode switch provides a degree ofprogrammability so that a user may program the selected operating mode.Of course, other programming devices might also be used to select theoperating mode.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart for the operation of the processor 36 ofcontroller 16 in one embodiment of the invention. Upon powering the bed30, the pillow speaker 32, or any other available power sources 20, 22,the processor is powered up and controller 16 is appropriately set to areset mode (Step 60). The processor then reads the dip switch 44 (lines46) to determine the operating mode selected (Step 61). Then theoperating mode is set for the processor (Step 61A). The processor thenreturns to, or is restored to the last operating submode (Step 62) ofthe selected mode which will usually correspond to the particularhospital scenario, including the model of TV which is being controlled.Some of the operating modes of the invention, like Operating Mode 1discussed below, have several submodes that may be used. Accordingly, ifone of these modes is chosen, the processor will want to return to theproper submode in that mode. Processor 36 is therefore preferablyconfigured to store current operating submodes and to remember thesubmodes for future operation even if power is removed.

Next, processor 36 defines the input switches (Step 64), depending uponthe selected operating mode. That is, each of the input switches/buttons34 from the bed 30 or pillow speaker 32 or other input device mayinitiate different operational functions of the TV 40 depending upon theoperating mode of the controller 16. Next, the mode switch is again read(Step 65) to determine if the switch has been changed after start-up ofthe system. If the switch has been changed, a new mode is beingrequested, and new input switches must be defined (67). The processor 36then polls the input devices (Step 66) and reads the respective inputsignals 12 to determine if a patient is trying to control the TV 40. Ifthe user input is active (Step 68), such as if a button is pushed and/ora switch closed from the various input devices, then processor 36 willrespond accordingly. If no user input is active, then the processor willsimply re-poll or re-read the user inputs until one of the inputsbecomes active as indicated in the flow chart loop in FIG. 3. Theprocessor will also poll the mode switch to detect a mode change. If auser input is active, processor 36 will determine whether the user wantsto change to a different submode within the current operating mode (Step70). In at least one operating mode of the invention, a plurality ofsubmodes are available for controlling TV 40. For example, an operatingmode may provide control of both old TVs and newer, code-driven TVs,wherein one submode in that mode is dedicated to the old TVs and anothersubmode is dedicated to the newer, code-driven TVs. Accordingly, inresponse to the user inputs 12, the processor may automatically changefrom one submode to another submode (Steps 74, 76) depending upon themodel of TV which is to be controlled.

If a user input is active, but no operating mode or submode change isrequested, the processor generates the proper relay control signals 38for creating an appropriate control signal cluster 28 to control the TV(Step 72). As discussed further hereinbelow, the individual andsequentially generated control signals of each control signal clustercorrespond to specific operational functions for a plurality ofdifferent hospital TV models. In the preferred embodiment of theinvention, some of the particular input signals will generate a controlsignal cluster which has individual TV control signals which all relateto essentially the same or very similar operational functions fordifferent TV models. For example, a TV ON input signal from the patientwill generate a control signal cluster with a plurality of different ONcontrol signals to turn on different TV models to be interfaced with thesystem. The actual TV 40 coupled to the inventive system will see aplurality of ON signals and will respond only to the ON signal that itrecognizes.

If the processor 36 determines that the user is changing the operatingmode to a different submode, the processor will determine that differentoperating mode or submode (step 74) and will store that operating modeor submode (Step 76). As a result, and as illustrated in FIG. 3, newswitch inputs for the input devices will be defined (step 64). In oneembodiment of the invention, the mode change or submode change providedby the controller 16 will be transparent to the user. For example, ifthe processor is currently in an operating mode which will allow it tooperate both new and old televisions, but is in a submode which isdirected to newer televisions, processor 36 will have to switch submodesin order to control an old TV. Therefore, in response to a TV ON inputfrom the patient, for example, controller 16 will generate a controlsignal cluster for turning new TVs on. An old TV will not turn on andtherefore the patient will generally provide a prolonged ON signal, suchas by keeping the TV ON button depressed. The processor 36 will read theprolonged ON signal and will switch submodes to the old TV submode atwhich time the old TV will turn on.

Operating Mode 1

Turning now to the various operating modes of one embodiment of theinvention, FIG. 4 shows a simulated timing sequence with associatedsimulated control signal clusters for Operating Mode 1, illustrated withSubmode A and Submode B. The actual control signals of the cluster mayvary from the simulated signals shown by pulse width, number of pulses,and spacing between pulses. FIG. 4 illustrates four input buttons froman input device, although additional input buttons or switches may beadded as appropriate for expanding the inventive system, as previouslydiscussed. Furthermore, FIG. 4 discloses control signal clusters whichhave control signals for TV models designated Magnavox/Philips, RCA/GEand Zenith, although other manufacturers' codes might also be utilizedin the control signal cluster, as appropriate. Magnavox is listed withPhilips, and RCA is listed with GE, for example, because the hospital TVmodels having those brand names share similar control signals. Forexample, RCA brand TVs and GE brand TVs will share a similar controlsignal protocol

On the left side of FIG. 4, the input buttons are designated as ON/OFF,CH UP, CH DOWN, and SELECT/MUSIC for turning the TV on and off, movingthe channel up, moving the channel down, and accessing a radio featureor selecting some other operational function of the TV, respectively.When the ON/OFF switch or button 34 on the bed 30, pillow speaker 32, orother input device is pressed and the processor 36 is in Operating Mode1 and Submode A, controller 16 sends a control signal cluster 80 to TV40. Control signal cluster 80 includes a TV ON/OFF signal for each ofMagnavox/Philips, RCA/GE, and Zenith. The TV model coupled to controller16 sees the TV ON/OFF control signals of the cluster and will respondaccordingly when it receives the appropriate control signal for that TVmodel. The remaining control signals for the cluster are ignored.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the control signals are a series or string ofspaced pulses. To that end, controller 16 provides the relay controlsignals 38 for opening and closing relay 42a to create the selectedpulse strings and build the control signal cluster. Preferably, there isvery little delay between the individual control signals of each clusteras shown in FIG. 4 by the simulated control pulses. Each time the ON/OFFbutton is pressed, the cluster 80 is sent. If the CH UP button ispressed, the controller will create cluster 82 which includessequentially generated CHANNEL UP signals for moving the channel up forthe different TV models. Similarly, if the CH DOWN button is depressedthe control signal cluster 84 will include appropriate CHANNEL DOWNsignals for moving the channel down for the available TV models. Bothcontrol signal clusters 82 and 84 will also be generated using relay42a. Each time the CH UP and CH DOWN buttons are pressed, a channelchange is made. Furthermore, if either button is held down theappropriate clusters 82, 84 are repeated to change the channel.

If the SELECT/MUSIC button is pushed the control signal cluster 86created will include control signals for different operational functionsdepending upon the TV model. For example, for Magnavox/Philips TVs,cluster 86 will include the control signal for selecting a particularfeature of the TV, such as a channel guide or other availableoperational function, while it will turn on a radio, such as an FMradio, for code-driven RCA/GE TVs and Zenith TVs. When the radio is on,the CH UP and CH DOWN buttons are used to change the available channelsfor the code-driven TVs with radio features. When the radio has beenturned on, a subsequent depression of the SELECT/MUSIC button will turnthe radio off. Cluster 86 will also be generated through relay 42a.

To turn the television off once it has been turned on, the patient wouldtouch the ON/OFF button and cluster 80 would again be generated.Generally, the ON and OFF codes for code-driven hospital TVs are thesame. Therefore, the signal for ON is the same as the signal for OFF.Preferably, the time between each individual control signal of a clusteris small so that the patient does not have to wait a significant amountof time to control the TV each time an input button is pressed. Thebuttons have been designated for the most-used particular operationalfunctions of the TV. However, the expandability of the inventive systemmay require that additional buttons be added. Furthermore, while buttonssuch as the CH UP button will provide a cluster of CHANNEL UP signals,one signal for each TV model, other buttons may provide mixed controlsignals for different operational functions, such as the SELECT/MUSICbutton which turns on the radio for some TVs and selects other options,such as a channel guide, for other TVs. It will be appreciated that theactual user input buttons may be marked with a designation other thanON/OFF, CH UP, CH DOWN, etc., depending upon the available options forthe TV and to prevent patient confusion. For example, if the TV is onlycapable of radio functions with the SELECT/MUSIC button, the buttonmight simply be designated MUSIC.

The control signal clusters 80, 82,84, and 86 are generated withinSubmode A of Operating Mode 1, which is directed to newer, code-drivenTVs. However, Operating Mode 1 will also allow the inventive system tooperate old TVs. Old TVs essentially may be controlled with a singlebutton, which is depressed to turn the TV on, to move up through thechannels, and to turn the TV off when the last viewing channel has beenpassed. Referring to Submode B in FIG. 4, the input buttons areconfigured for old TV operation. However, for operating old TVs,controller 16 must be in Submode B. In one embodiment of the invention,the controller may be switched to Submode B according to step 70 of FIG.3 by holding the ON/OFF button down continuously for approximately 7-8seconds. The length of time in which the ON/OFF button is held down isnot particularly critical except that it is desirable to preventinadvertent entry into Submode B if the patient holds down the ON/OFFbutton while trying to operate a codedriven TV. It has been determinedthat a delay of 7-8 seconds would be suitable for preventing inadvertentswitching between the submodes. When the processor senses that theON/OFF button has been held down for 7-8 seconds, it will switch toSubmode B, and the ON/OFF button will generate a signal through relay42a for turning the old TV on, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Since thesignal for turning the television on, moving up through the channels,and turning the television off is essentially the same signal, the CH UPbutton, when depressed, will cause the controller 16 to produce asimilar signal through relay 42a. While the signals for turning an oldTV on and off and moving the channel up is essentially created by theopening or closing of a relay to create a continuous signal rather thana pulsed code, the signal will still be designated as a "control signal"in the nomenclature of this invention similar to the pulse codes for thenewer code-driven TVs. Once the processor 36 has been placed in SubmodeB, it will remain in that submode. In that way, each subsequentdepression of the ON/OFF button does not have to be continuous for 7-8seconds to turn the television on. The submode will preferably beremembered by the processor (Step 76, FIG. 3).

In Submode B, the CH UP button produces the same effect as the ON/OFFbutton in the sense that once the television is on, depressing the CH UPbutton moves the channel up, and will turn the TV off after the lastchannel has been passed. Once the TV is on, depressing the ON/OFF buttonwill also change the channels until the TV turns off. When using theON/OFF button and the CH UP button, relay 42a will be closed as long asthe button is pressed for controlling the TV.

The SELECT/MUSIC button in Submode B of Operating Mode 1 causes theprocessor 36 to drive relays 42b and 42c. The relays are held closed aslong as the SELECT/MUSIC button is pressed (see FIG. 4.). For hospitalTVs having a separate radio system, the radio will be controlled throughthe output of relay 42b, designated as RL and the output of relay 42c,designated as RR. The common line R- for the two relays 42b and 42c aretied together. When the SELECT/MUSIC button is pressed, the radio isturned on, and if the button is held, the radio steps through theavailable listening channels. When it passes the last listening channelit will turn off, and will turn on again with a subsequent depression ofthe SELECT/MUSIC button. Alternatively, the TV may switch to TV audioafter the last radio channel is passed, depending on the TV beingcontrolled. With the old TVs the radio system is generally independentof the TV and thus relays 42b and 42c are used instead of the televisioncontrol relay 42a.

In Operating Mode 1, the individual switch 44a of mode switch 44 isopen, and the common lines for the TV (TV-) and the radio (R-) are nottied together as they are for other operating modes. Therefore, inOperating Mode 1, old TVs and associated radios and newer, code-drivenTVs and radio systems may be operated without requiring specialprogramming or configuring of a bed or pillow speaker, regardless of theTV model available. The three switches 44b, 44c, 44d of the mode switch44 are coupled to processor 36 to vary the operating mode of theprocessor. Therefore, the three switches provide the binary possibilityof eight operating modes. Of course, additional switches may be added tomode switch 44 as appropriate for expanding the available operatingmodes of processor 36.

In one possible embodiment, to move back to Submode A from Submode B,the CH DOWN button is pressed or held for 7-8 seconds to preventinadvertent switching back to Submode A. Alternatively, a SELECT/MUSICbutton may be used to switch submodes. The processor 36, then switchesback to Submode A for operating code-driven TVs.

Operating Mode II

In a second Operating Mode, the system 10 is operable for controlling aZenith three-wire system TV. In such a system, three dedicated wires areused. One wire is used for turning the TV on and off, one wire is usedfor changing the channel up, and the other wire is used for changing thechannel down. When Operating Mode II is chosen by using switches 44b,44c, and 44d, the ON/OFF button will drive relay 1 (closed as long asbutton is pressed), and will turn the TV on and off. Use of the CH UPbutton will cause the processor 36 to drive relay 42b (closed as long asbutton is pressed) to change the channel up, and the CH DOWN buttoncauses processor 36 to drive relay 42c (closed as long as button ispressed) to change the channel down. In Operating Mode II theSELECT/MUSIC button does not control the TV. Referring to FIG. 2, switch44a of the mode switch 44 must be closed to couple the TV common line(TV-) and the radio common line (R-) together for proper operation.

Operating Mode III

Certain hospitals may have only old TVs and a separate radio system.Therefore, it may be desirable to have the controller operate only forold TVs and the radio system. To that end, Mode III may be chosen withmode switch 44. In Mode III, the ON/OFF button drives relay 1 and turnsthe television on, moves the channel up, and turns the television off,as illustrated in FIG. 4 for Submode B of Operating Mode I. Similarly,the CH UP button drives relay 1 for operating the TV like the ON/OFFbutton. The CH DOWN button and the SELECT/MUSIC button both drive relays2 and 3 to toggle the radio on and off and change the channel asdescribed above for Submode B in Operating Mode I. For a system whichwill only operate in mode 3, the labeling of the input CH DOWN might bechanged so as not to confuse the patient. Switch 44a is open inOperating Mode III.

Operating Mode IV

For those facilities which only utilize newer, code-driven TVs but withseparate radio systems, Mode IV may be chosen with mode switch 44. InMode IV, the ON/OFF button turns the television on and off throughcontrol signal clusters, like cluster 80 shown in FIG. 4. The CH UP andCH DOWN buttons also generate control signal clusters like clusters 82and 84, respectively. The SELECT/MUSIC button drives relays 42b and 42c(closed as long as button is pressed). In that way, the separate radiomay be toggled on and off and the channel may be changed as discussedwith Operating Mode III. In Operating Mode IV, switch 44a is open.Should it be desirable for also providing flexibility to operate acode-driven TV with radio features, the SELECT/MUSIC button might alsoprovide a Radio ON/OFF code, as shown in cluster 86, for certain TVmodels.

Operating Mode V

In Operating Mode V, controller 16 is selected for use with hospitalshaving only newer, code-driven TVs with or without radio features.Therefore the ON/OFF, CH UP and CH DOWN buttons operate as discussed inMode 1/Submode A. When the SELECT/MUSIC button is depressed, thecontroller sends a RADIO ON/OFF code for RCA/GE and Zenith TVs, and theSELECT signal for Magnavox/Philips (cluster 86). However, the relays 42band 42c are not operated because they are not needed due to the lack ofany separate radio system.

Operating Mode VI

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a hospitalfacility may have only one TV model from a single manufacturer. In sucha case, it may be desirable to provide a controller in which theoperating mode is specifically directed to that TV model, but whichincludes the other universal TV control capabilities of the inventionshould the hospital acquire other TV models in the future.

Accordingly, Mode VI of the processor may generate control signalclusters which have individual control signals and pulse strings foronly one particular model of TV. For example, a hospital might have onlyRCA/GE TVs. Accordingly, when the processor 36 and controller 16 of theinvention are in Mode VI, the controller would generate codes directedonly to RCA/GE for turning a TV on and off, changing channels, andoperating the radio functions of the code-driven TV. For example, anON/OFF button might generate a cluster having only TV ON/OFF codes forRCA/GE code-driven TVs. In that way, the control provided by theinventive system may be more specifically tailored, thus eliminatingextraneous control signals and/or control functions. Of course, the modeswitch could very easily be changed, such as throwing a differentcombination on dip switch 44 to provide an expanded control capabilityof the system in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention, should it be necessary to control additional TV models beyondthe original single TV model. The operation of the controller 16 wouldbe similar to that described above, except that the control signalclusters would only have control signals for one particularmanufacturer, such as RCA and GE.

Additional Modes

Similar to Operating Mode VI, additional operating modes are utilizedwith the inventive system, wherein each operating mode is tailored to aspecific TV model, such as a Zenith model, RCA/GE models, and/orMagnavox/Philips models, or an even more specific model, such as aparticular model of Magnavox or RCA. For example, a hospital may haveonly one particular Magnavox model to control, and thus may desire asystem directed to that Magnavox model. In such an operating mode, thecontrol signal clusters contain only control signals for the selectedmodel of TV. That is, the control signal clusters will only have theMagnavox control signals therein. Accordingly, the invention providesadaptability to a very wide variety of different hospital TV controlscenarios and necessary control protocols. With a quick changing of themode switch 44, any one of a number of different operating modes may beselected, depending upon the hospital scenario and the particular modelof TV to be controlled. No additional programming or hardwiring will benecessary.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the mode switch 44 mightbe eliminated while a generally a similar hardware configuration asshown in FIG. 2 would still be utilized. In the alternative embodiment,the control signal cluster takes into account individual control signalsfor both newer and older TVs, as well as TVs from differentmanufacturers. Therefore, different modes will not be necessary foroperating older and newer TVs. Of course, the mode switch 44 may stillhave use in a number of installations, particularly those requiringwired radio, or alternatively for CHANNEL UP and CHANNEL DOWN signalsfor some hard-wired TV models, as described above. The alternativeembodiment will further eliminate the need for the controller toremember its last sub-mode state, such as upon power loss, thus reducingthe control complexity and overall cost of the system.

The alternative embodiment takes into account that newer, codedrivenhospital TVs are manufactured for backward compatibility with controlsystems for older TVs due to the installed single-button controllerscurrently predominant in the hospital market. That is, the newer TVsmust also recognize the control signals for older TVs so that they maybe used in existing hospital facilities with only older commandhardware. However, older style hospital TVs do not recognize the newcode-driven TV commands. By incorporating the control signals for newerand older TVs into a single cluster, the need for mode switchconfiguration, patient interfacing with the mode switch, and storing ofthe sub-mode information is generally eliminated, thus reducing thecomplexity of the control system.

FIG. 5 is the flow chart depicting the operation of the processor forthe alternative embodiment of the invention. Upon powering the system,the controller 16 is set to a reset mode (Step 101), similar to thereset mode in the embodiment discussed above. The processor 16 then mayread certain configuration switches to determine the interfacecharacteristics of the system. For example, a configuration switch mightdefine special installations, such as wired radio systems, or thosesystems that have wired CHANNEL UP and CHANNEL DOWN signals, aspreviously disclosed. In such a scenario, the configuration switchesmight handle some of the tasks handled by a mode switch. As noted, thealternative embodiment preferably eliminates mode switches and thus thereading of the configuration switch (Step 102) would be optional,depending upon the hardware configuration. Next, the processor 16defines the various button switch inputs (Step 103). The definition ofthe button inputs may also depend upon the setting of any optionalconfiguration switches, although they may be hardwired. Since there willpreferably be no mode switching within the embodiment disclosed in FIGS.5-8, it is not necessary to continue to read and re-read a mode switchand to restore the last operating sub-mode of the system.

After power to the system, the processor 16 then polls the variousbutton inputs (Step 104) to determine if a user input is active and auser is interfacing with the system, i.e., a user is pressing a controlbutton for a TV. If no button input is active, the processor 16 returnsto read any optional configuration switches (Step 102) or to define thebutton inputs (Step 103) as shown in FIG. 5. If one of the user inputsis active, as determined by a YES answer to Step 104, then the processorchecks to see if the active input is the ON/OFF button input (Step 105).If the ON/OFF button input is active, the processor 16 then sends theappropriate ON/OFF control signal cluster for the particular TVs coupledto the system, such as those manufactured by Magnavox/Philips, RCA/GE,and Zenith. Referring to FIG. 6, the ON/OFF cluster is shown as cluster201 in FIG. 6. The individual control signals of the cluster are sentconsecutively and sequentially with a short delay between each, asdiscussed above. Of course, the sequence order of the various differentmanufacturers may be varied. For example, the Zenith control signal maybe sent as the first signal in the cluster.

In accordance with one aspect of the alternative embodiment of theinvention, the control signal cluster 201 also may include individualcontrol signals for older TVs, as well as the newer, code-driven TVs ofthe various manufacturers. Turning to FIG. 5, the processor 16 will sendcluster 201 to turn the television on or off (Step 106). Processor 16will then continue to monitor the input line to see if the ON/OFF buttoninput is still active (Step 108), ie., the system determines if a useris holding the button down or in an engaged position. If it is not,processor 16 returns to steps 102 and 103, as shown in FIG. 5. However,if the ON/OFF button input is still active, the processor 16 sends apulsed data stream (Step 112) until the ON/OFF button is released.Referring to FIG. 6, the pulsed data stream 201a is shown which includesa high period 201b that is approximately 600 milliseconds in durationand a low period 201c that is approximately 20 milliseconds in duration.The pulsed data stream 201a is operable to turn on an older TV whichdoes not recognize the other coded control signals of cluster 201. Uponreceiving the pulsed data stream 201a, an older TV will turn on.Furthermore, the TV will begin to sequence up in channels if the ON/OFFbutton input is still engaged and the data stream is continuouslyrepeated. The upward sequencing through the viewing channels iscurrently how older TVs will operate upon receiving the repeated pulseddata stream 201 a. The pulsed data stream 201a is repeated as long asthe ON/OFF button input is held (Step 112). In that way, control signalcluster 201 is capable of operating both newer and older style TVswithout the requirement of a mode selection switch, or mode selectionthrough a user interface. Therefore, the operation of the ON/OFF controlfor any kind of TV, older or newer, code-driven, is transparent to auser.

When the ON/OFF button input is active, the processor 16 sends all ofthe various coded control signals of the cluster in their entirety forall applicable TV manufacturers, even if the user releases the ON/OFFbutton input before all of the individual control signals are sent. Inthat way, any newer code-driven television will be turned on, as long asthe specific control signal for the TV make/model is within the cluster201. If nothing occurs upon engaging the ON/OFF button (indicating thatan older TV is being used), the user will usually continue to engage theON/OFF button input until something does occur. When the button input iscontinuously engaged so that the input signal generated by the buttoninput continues for a predetermined amount of time after the controlsignals are sent, the pulsed data stream 201a will be sent by thecontroller 16 to turn on or off the older TV. In that way, the datastream 201 a is added to cluster 201 as part of the cluster. If a newerTV is utilized and turns on through one of the coded control signals incluster 201, and the user still continues to engage the ON/OFF buttoninput for a predetermined time, the pulsed data stream 201a will be sentby the controller and a new model TV will also begin to sequence upthrough channels. This is because newer, code-driven TVs are backwardcompatible to the control process of an old TV, as discussed above. Thatis, the newer TVs see the pulsed data stream as a user input that isconsecutively pressing a single button input. Therefore, the newer TVswill ramp up through the channels effectively at a 620 millisecond rate,according to the length of the pulsed data stream 201a. The older TVswill also ramp up through channels if the button input remains activeafter the TV is on. The pulsed data stream 201a will be immediatelyterminated as soon as the ON/OFF button input is inactive or disengaged.Therefore, either a newer, code-driven TV or an older, single-buttoninterface TV will respond to the ON/OFF button input of the invention.Consecutive presses and releases of the ON/OFF button will toggle anewer TV on and off as desired.

Returning to FIG. 5, if the ON/OFF button input is not active, theprocessor checks to see if the CHANNEL UP button input is active (Step110). If the CHANNEL UP button input is active, the processor 16 sends asignal cluster 202 which consists of a plurality of pulsed data streams202a. Referring to FIG. 6, the pulsed data streams 202a are similar tothe pulsed data stream 201a and include approximately a 600 millisecondhigh period and a 20 millisecond low period. As mentioned above, newerTVs are made to be backward compatible with the older TVs such that thenewer TVs will also recognize the pulsed data stream 202a as a CHANNELUP control command, similar to the older TVs. As illustrated in FIG. 5,older TVs turn on and proceed through the channels in response to thesame data stream. Therefore, both newer TVs and older TVs will scrollupwardly through the available channels upon receiving the cluster 202.The pulsed data stream 202a of cluster 202 will essentially be repeatedcontinuously as long as the CHANNEL UP button input is active (Step112). The invention will create an upward scrolling through availablechannels at about a 600 millisecond interval or rate.

If the CHANNEL UP button input is not active, the processor 16 thenchecks to see if the CHANNEL DOWN button input is active (Step 109). Ifthe CHANNEL DOWN button input is active, the processor 16 sends thecluster 204 which includes the various coded control signals for theTVs. The coded control signals of cluster 204 initiate the appropriatecommand (CHANNEL DOWN) for the newer style TVs, as indicated byreference numeral 204a. The processor will send all of the individualcommand signals for the various different TV models in their entirety,even if the user releases the CHANNEL DOWN button before all of theindividual signals have been sent. If the user continues to hold orengage the CHANNEL DOWN button, the codes will be followed by a delayperiod 204b that pads the time period such that the combination ofcontrol signals 204a and the delay 204b is approximately 600milliseconds long. If the CHANNEL DOWN button input is held active, theprocessor continues to send the full set of CHANNEL DOWN commands 204crepeatedly in the sequence (Step 107). This allows a user to scrollthrough the viewing channels by maintaining the CHANNEL DOWN buttoninput active when the TV that is coupled to the control system is anewer style, code-driven TV. Older style TVs will not respond to thecontrol signal cluster 204. The 600 millisecond time period created bythe individual control signals 204a and the delay 204b provides the userthe capability of scrolling both CHANNEL UP and CHANNEL DOWN through theavailable viewing channels of a newer TV at essentially the same rate(i.e., around 600 milliseconds), if either button input is held active.Therefore, the user may actively move through the channels, up or down,at the same speed.

If the CHANNEL DOWN button input is not active, the system may send acode defined for a particular switch which is active (Step 111). Asmentioned above, other options may be available for controlling a TV.For example, the system might incorporate a SELECT/MUSIC button input.Referring to FIG. 6, if the SELECT/MUSIC button input is active, acontrol signal cluster 203 is generated, which consists of theappropriate command SELECT or RADIO ON/OFF for newer TVs. If an older TVis coupled to the control system, and the SELECT/MUSIC button input isactive, the TV will not respond to the cluster 203. Again, for theSELECT/MUSIC button input, all of the commands for the variousmanufacturers will be sent, even if the user releases the button beforeall of the individual code signals of the cluster 203 have been sent.

FIG. 7 is a timing diagram of one embodiment of the control signalcluster, and the spacing delays associated with each command. Referencenumeral 301 represents a particular cluster wherein each of themanufacturer's control signals and their durations for the newercode-driven TVs are shown. Essentially, a full control signal clusterincluding the three different control signals described herein will havea length of approximately 230 milliseconds, including 40 milliseconddelay periods between the individual coded control signals. Of course,other clusters may have different lengths in accordance with theprinciples of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, another timing diagram for operation of oneembodiment of the invention is illustrated. The various control signalclusters are shown for selectable button inputs. As may be seen, theclusters for the ON/OFF, CHANNEL UP and CHANNEL DOWN, as indicated byreference numerals 401, 402, and 404, respectively, are allappropriately padded with a time delay of approximately 370 millisecondssuch that the overall length of each cluster, in addition to the 230milliseconds required for the control signals, indicated respectively as401a, 403a, and 404a, will essentially have a length which matches the600 millisecond length of the pulsed data stream utilized with theON/OFF and CHANNEL UP inputs. The control signal cluster 403 for theSELECT/MUSIC input, will only include a single 230 millisecond controlsignals 403a. Of course, various different signal cluster durations anddelays may be utilized in accordance with the principles of theinvention.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description ofthe embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been describedin considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant torestrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to suchdetail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear tothose skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broaderaspects is not limited to the specific details representative apparatusand method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly,departures may be made from such details without departure from thespirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.

What is claimed is:
 1. A television control system for control oftelevision models of a predetermined plurality of different models ofhospital televisions without requiring patient programming of the systemfor a particular models the system comprising:an input device operablefor generating at least one television input signal corresponding to atelevision input from a person; a controller configured for interfacingwith a hospital television, the controller operable for generating acluster of control signals, in response to said television input signaland each time said generated television input signal is received by thecontroller, to operate different models of hospital televisions; thecontrol signal cluster corresponding to at least one specificoperational function of a hospital television and including apredetermined set of sequentially generated, individual control signals,each of the individual control signals of the cluster corresponding toat least one model of a predetermined plurality of different models ofhospital televisions and the cluster including individual controlsignals for various models of the predetermined plurality of differentmodels; the controller further operable for generating a data stream aspart of the control signal cluster when said input signal continues fora predetermined time after the predetermined set of control signals ofthe cluster is generated, the data stream corresponding to anoperational function of a hospital television which is not responsive tosaid control signals from said predetermined set; the control systemautomatically operating any one of a variety of different models ofhospital televisions in response to a patient input.
 2. The televisioncontrol system of claim 1 wherein said controller is operable forgenerating control signals for turning on a hospital television, saidcontrol signal cluster including sequentially generated ON signals for aplurality of different models of hospital televisions.
 3. The televisioncontrol system of claim 1 wherein said controller is operable forgenerating control signals for turning off a hospital television, saidcontrol signal cluster including sequentially generated OFF signals fora plurality of different models of hospital televisions.
 4. Thetelevision control system of claim 1 wherein said controller is operablefor generating control signals for varying viewing channels of ahospital television, said control signal cluster including sequentiallygenerated CHANNEL signals for a plurality of different models ofhospital televisions.
 5. The television control system of claim 4wherein said CHANNEL signals include CHANNEL UP signals to operate atelevision to move up through available viewing channels of a hospitaltelevision.
 6. The television control system of claim 4 wherein saidCHANNEL signals include CHANNEL DOWN signals to operate a television tomove down through available viewing channels of a hospital television.7. The television control system of claim 1 wherein said controller isoperable for generating control signals for operating a radio deviceassociated with a hospital television, said control signal clusterincluding at least one RADIO signal corresponding to a particular modelof hospital television.
 8. The television control system of claim 1wherein said controller is operable for generating control signals forselecting an operational function from available television operationalfunctions, said control signal cluster including at least one SELECTsignal corresponding to a particular model of hospital television. 9.The television control system of claim 1 wherein said controllercomprises a processor for processing said input signal to generate saidcontrol signals.
 10. The television control system of claim 1 whereinsaid controller comprises a relay, the relay being opened and closed togenerate said control signals.
 11. The television control system ofclaim 1 wherein said control signal cluster includes delay periodstherein between the control signals.
 12. The television control systemof claim 1 wherein said input device is operable for generating aplurality of different input signals and said controller is operable forgenerating different control signals for a plurality of differentoperational functions of hospital televisions in response to thedifferent control signals, the different control signals beingconfigured to have generally the same effective duration so that thedifferent operational functions of the televisions may be operated ateffectively the same rate.
 13. A hospital bed for controlling televisionmodels of a predetermined plurality of different models of hospitaltelevisions located proximate the bed without requiring patientprogramming of the bed for a particular model, the hospital bedcomprising:a frame and a support surface coupled to the frame to receivea person; an input device operable for generating at least onetelevision input signal corresponding to a television input from aperson; a controller configured for interfacing with a hospitaltelevision, the controller operable for generating a cluster of controlsignals, in response to said television input signal and each time saidgenerated television input signal is received by the controller, tooperate different models of hospital televisions; the control signalcluster corresponding to at least one specific operational function of ahospital television and including a predetermined set of sequentiallygenerated, individual control signals, each of the individual controlsignals of the cluster corresponding to at least one model of aplurality of different models of hospital televisions and the clusterincluding individual control signals for various models of thepredetermined plurality of different models; the controller furtheroperable for generating a data stream as part of the control signalcluster when said input signal continues for a predetermined time afterthe predetermined set of control signals of the cluster is generated,the data stream corresponding to an operational function of a hospitaltelevision which is not responsive to said control signals from saidpredetermined set; the control system automatically operating any one ofa variety of different models of hospital televisions in response to apatient input.
 14. The hospital bed of claim 13 wherein said controllercomprises a processor for processing said input signal to generate saidcontrol signals.
 15. The hospital bed of claim 13 wherein saidcontroller comprises a relay, the relay being opened and closed togenerate said control signals.
 16. A hospital pillow speaker to be usedwith a hospital bed for controlling television models of a predeterminedplurality of different models of hospital televisions located proximatethe bed without requiring patient programming of the pillow speaker fora particular model, the pillow speaker comprising:a body including aninterface surface for interfacing with a person; a plurality of inputdevices available at the interface surface and operable for generatingat least one television input signal corresponding to a television inputfrom a person; a controller configured for interfacing with a hospitaltelevision, the controller operable for generating a cluster of controlsignals, in response to said television input signal and each time saidgenerated television input signal is received by the controller, tooperate different models of hospital televisions; the control signalcluster corresponding to at least one specific operational function of ahospital television and including a predetermined set of sequentiallygenerated, individual control signals, each of the individual controlsignals of the cluster corresponding to at least on model of apredetermined plurality of different models of hospital televisions andthe cluster including individual control signals for various models ofthe predetermined plurality of different models; the controller furtheroperable for generating a data stream as part of the control signalcluster when said input signal continues for a predetermined time afterthe predetermined set of control signals of the cluster is generated,the data stream corresponding to an operational function of a hospitaltelevision which is not responsive to said control signals from thepredetermined set; the control system automatically operating any one ofa variety of different models of hospital televisions in response to apatient input.
 17. The pillow speaker of claim 16 wherein saidcontroller comprises a processor for processing said input signal togenerate said control signals.
 18. The pillow speaker of claim 16wherein said controller further comprises a relay operably coupled tosaid processor, the processor operable, in response to said inputsignal, to open and close the relay to generate said control signals.19. The pillow speaker of claim 16 wherein said controller comprises arelay, the relay being opened and closed to generate said controlsignals.